Okay, I know this is all my own fault-I feel bad that now we have to go through this; but I need some serious advice.
My son just turned four months old and has never slept for longer than about three hours at night. It started when I brought him home from the hospital; I was instructed to feed him whenever he woke in the night. So, I did-about every two hours. After that he developed reflux and continued wanting to eat at every awakening because of the pain. Well, he's on medication now and I know he's not waking in pain. We were on vacation a couple weeks ago and staying with in-laws; so as soon as he fidgeted I stuck my boob in his mouth. Well, needless to say-he now wakes every hour or two demanding the boob! If my husband picks him up he screams and screams and wakes completely; making it hard to put him back down-usually it takes an hour if we don't give in with the boob.
He naps well and goes down on his own during the day (w/ a paci that is). However, lately he's been waking at 45 minutes wanting the boob as well. I do PU/PD with a paci and he's okay with this. At night he nurses and then we change his diaper, etc. and get him ready to bed. He has a harder time going down; but doesn't fall asleep at the breat. It's just those darn awakenings at night; the paci won't do, rocking won't help, it has to be the boob. He's started waking every 40 minutes to an hour at night-it's getting a lot worse not better.
Well, we're ready to beat these night awakenings; so this is where the questions come in. How long exactly should I have him go at night before I do give him the boob? He goes down at about 7 each night and awakes at 7 in the morning. 12 hours seems like a LONG time without any feedings. He's on 3 hour EASY during the day. And, when he does awaken; I try to calm in the crib however, he won't have this-so, it's PU/PD. If I'm vigilant and follow through; how long do you think it will take to beat it? And, should I offer the paci to help? I'm wondering if I should just wean off both at the same time?
Any advice would be wonderful, is this a common thing? I feel bad that I taught him this sleep association and now we're both going to be crying . . .
I was just one of the paranoid first time moms that thought he had to eat and eat all day and night long. I'll know better next time around; that's for sure. Thanks ladies.
